Note: Ellis will be conducting a songwriters workshop at 1pm. Customers who attend both the songwriting class and the evening performance will receive a discount. Discounted ticket sales for attending both the workshop and the evening show are available only at the Cary Theater Box Office.
Ellis Paul
“Despite his success and sense of history, Mr. Paul remains an artist with his eye on the future and an interest in discovering the transformative potential in his music.” – The New York Times
Some artists document their lives through their music. Others chronicle their times. It’s a rare artist who can do both, telling their own story through songs that also encapsulate the essence of people and places who have helped define their era overall. Woody Guthrie comes to mind, and so does Bob Dylan. Bruce Springsteen certainly as well. Yet few others, for whatever genius they may possess, can relate their own history to the history experienced by those who find that common bond, be it in a coming of age, living through the same realities or sharing similar experiences.
Ellis Paul is one of those gifted singer/songwriters.Though some may refer to him as a folksinger, he is more, for lack of a better word, a singular storyteller, a musician whose words reach out from inside and yet also express the feelings, thoughts and sensibilities that most people can relate to in one way or another, regardless of age or upbringing. The exhilaration of the open road. A celebration of heroes. The hope for redemption. Descriptions of those things that are both near and dear. The sharing of love…, intimate, passionate and enduring.
Dean Fields
Over 1000 shows, 10 years, and 200,000 miles have passed since Dean Fields went on the road to pursue a career in music. During that time his address changed from Richmond VA to Miami to Boston until most recently settling in Nashville TN. Now, he hits the road again to promote his most recent release “Any Minute Now.”
Dean began his career in 2001 while living in Miami. After being inspired by the abrupt break-up of a long-term love interest, Fields began to document his pain and sadness the only way he knew how….he wrote about it. Upon receiving the distinction of “Best of Miami” and performing at the premier Billboard Live, the singer-songwriter made the decision to leave Miami and dedicate himself to developing his craft and performing live. Influenced by great songwriters like Jim Croce, James Taylor and Lucinda Williams, Fields has blended a mix of folk-alternative Americana to create a sound only unique to him. His natural and melancholy voice stands out from the mix. “He sings with the tender high tenor of Tim Buckley and the plain spoken poetry of Jim Croce.”(Miami Herald) Fields is truly in his element on stage. His live performances showcase his unassuming yet candid personality; an ‘ah shucks’ sort of charisma audiences are drawn to. They cant help but watch, and listen, and be a part of the experiences unfolding in song.
In addition to releasing two albums since taking to the road in 2003 Fields has been showcasing his talents at BMI songwriter showcases in Nashville, Los Angeles, New York and at the BMI Brunch at SXSW. He was also the Southeast Region finalist in the independent music world series in 2004, chosen over a group of 1200 acts and has had his music featured on MTV’s Real World, Road Rules and Sorority Life.
Fields continues to win over critics and audiences everywhere. “Go so you can say you saw him when.”